NFL Week 15 Picks and Preview

Saturday

Texans over Jets: The Texans lost a big divisional game to the Colts last week. This week they’re visiting the sub-par Jets. The Texans have a favorable schedule to finish out the year and win the AFC South – the division is theirs to lose at this point.

Browns over Broncos: The Broncos struggled to score and lost last week to the 49ers. This week they host the up-and-down Cleveland Browns. The Browns are not only alive in the playoffs hunt, but technically they can still make a run at the AFC North (albeit they need a lot to happen as well). Point being is they have been the better team and playing for more in this one and the Broncos losing Emmanuel Sanders truly hurt their aerial attack.

Sunday

Bears over Packers: The Bears showed last Sunday night exactly how dominant their defense can be, when they held the Rams to 6 points and Todd Gurley to just 58 total yards. It’s do-or die-time for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, but this time I think the hole is too deep to get out of the Bears put the nail in the coffin to their playoff hopes.

Bills over Lions: Rookie Josh Allen has set the record for most rush yards by QB over a 3 game span, breaking Mike Vick’s record. Matthew Stafford has only proven again that he cannot carry the Lions to the playoffs on his own and the team has had a very disappointing year.

Ravens over Bucs: Lamar Jackson will continue to be the starting quarterback in Baltimore and will get a chance to put up some points in bunches this coming Sunday against Tampa. The Ravens defense is still a tough group to play against and I think they’ll be disrupting Jameis Winston constantly.

Falcons over Cardinals: The Cardinals offense has just not been able to get going on a consistent basis. As bad as the Falcons’s defense has been, I simply just don’t see how they will keep pace with Atlanta’s offense.

Raiders over Bengals: The Bengals maybe the most injury plagued team in the league. Their starting quarterback, wide receiver and top 2 tight ends are all on IR. Their defense has not been able to stop many offenses and with the Raiders coming off an impressive win against the Steelers, I think they keep the momentum going.

Giants over Titans: Give me the G-Men to pull off the “spoiler” win against the Titans. A loss here for the Titans may just be the end to the Titans playoff hopes in Coach Mike Vrabel’s first season. The Giants are playing teams tougher than expected, especially of late. As long as Saquon Barkley is on the field, they have a chance to beat anyone.

Vikings over Dolphins: The Vikings just got shut down by the Seahawks, so badly that they fired their Offensive Coordinator after the game. The Dolphins pulled off the “Miami Miracle” win in the final seconds against the Patriots to keep their playoff dreams alive. Both teams are fighting to stay in control of a playoff spot and I think the Vikings will benefit from being back home and the coaching change and get the offense back on track.

Jaguars over Redskins: Meaningless game between two disappointing teams. The Redskins have been hit by injuries all season long, the Jaguars on the other hand just keep proving Blake Bortles is not the QB who will take them far and has proven that last year was a fluke. Still, I will go with the home and healthier team here. And the one not starting Blake Bortles or Josh Johnson.

Cowboys over Colts: How bout them Cowboys!! With the division title one win away, they will have their hands full here with the surprising Indianapolis Colts. Andrew Luck has played well and their defense has been playing surprising well. This game will be a close one but I’ll lean on the Cowboys to pull one off again.

Seahawks over 49ers: I have said it before and I’ll say it again – Russell Wilson knows how to win games. And they’re playing against the bad 49ers this week.

Patriots over Steelers: Tom Brady vs Ben Roethlisberger. Both teams are coming off brutal, last second road losses against teams they should have beat. This should be a high scoring game and in a game like this I’m going to side with the QB I have more faith in with 2 minutes left in the game and that’s Brady.

Rams over Eagles: Nick Foles is back under center for the Eagles. The Rams just got embarrassed by the Bears and competing for the #1 seed in the NFC. I will take the better team which also happens to be the home team to win this game easily.

Monday

Saints over Panthers: The Panthers have been the most disappointing team of late losing 5 in a row and watching their playoff hopes go down the drain. The Saints got back on the winning track last week and regained the #1 seed and hope to keep that advantage against a struggling Carolina team.